President Obama has sent a letter to Congress saying that the government is within $100 billion of its $15.2 trillion debt ceiling and that it must be raised immediately.

“I hereby certify that the debt subject to limit is within $100,000,000,000 of the limit in 31 U.S.C. 3101(b) and that further borrowing is required to meet existing commitment,” the letter states.

Now that Obama has sent the letter, Congress has 15 days to pass a resolution of disapproval or the debt ceiling will rise automatically by $1.2 trillion, according to the terms of the August debt ceiling compromise.

When the August deal was cut between Republicans, Democrats, and the White House, the debt ceiling was immediately raised $400 billion and then another $500 billion in October. Now it is expected to be raised at least $1.2 trillion more.

Will they pass a resolution of disapproval? Look for a lot of talk out of the Republican leadership, but little action, as we've unfortunately become accustom to. I wish I could be more optimistic about it, but considering that the GOP promised to cut spending throughout the 2010 campaign, then turned around & allowed the debt to be increased by $1 trillion over ten months, it’s a little difficult to believe they’d all of a sudden act differently now. And before you hear the charge of 'but we only have 1/2 of 1/3' bouncing around in your head, consider what Eric Odom quite accurately explains:

Look, we get that Republicans can only do so much without the Senate or White House. What we don’t get is why Republicans don’t act like they control the purse strings? Democrats place unreasonable, outrageous budget proposals on the table. Republicans put sound, reasoned proposals on the table (which don’t go far enough). Democrats then go on full court press to pretend Republicans are taking extreme positions, Republicans fold and move towards what the Democrats want. And the rest of us are stuck with the bill.

I expect as much from Democrats; but sorry, it is abominable that this is the way our country is now economically run by a Republicans: succumb to a statist President's pressure with a media at his and his Party's disposal to tighten the screws on those conservatives that have the audacity to question the out-of-control spending, and sign on to an agreement that allows both debt and spending to rise because the GOP leadership can't find the courage or principle to accept the heat of responsible governance and stand against furthering rampant deficits.

Well, is that it? Nope. Not only is he willing the power to make appointments without congressional confirmation, and as of yet without consequence, now Obama announced this morning that he's seeking new power to merge executive agencies, and (drumroll, please) pledges to take action ‘with or without Congress’. Also from CNSNews:

“This is the same sort of authority that every business owner has to make sure that his or her company keeps pace with the times. Let me be clear, I will only use this authority for reforms that result in more efficiency, better service, and a leaner government.”

“So with or without Congress, I’m going to keep at it. I’m hopeful it’s with Congress, because this is an area where we can receive bipartisan support, because making our government more responsive, strategic and leaner should not be a partisan issue.”

“With the authority I am requesting today, we could consolidate [the U.S. Commerce Department’s business and trade functions, the Small Business Administration; the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; the Export-Import Bank; the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; and the Trade and Development Agency] all into one department with one website, one phone number and one mission – helping American businesses succeed.”

Now, let's decipher his words, one piece at a time. He brings up "the authority that every business owner has," except, he's not a business owner, nor has he ever been a business owner. He doesn't know the first thing about it. Anybody remember Solyndra? That's the closest he's come, and what a smashing success it was, huh? Then when he says "let me be clear," you know he's about to lie to you. Does anybody honestly think that our ideological statist President whose constantly grabbed more power for the federal government throughout his entire term "will only use this authority for reforms" to give us a better, leaner and more efficient government? That's laughable...particularly when he follows this empty promise by saying he'll pursue this "with or without Congress." And finally, does anyone think that by the executive branch consolidating under a dictatorial-inclined President like Barack Obama, this will somehow help "American business succeed." When out of this man's entire term in office has he helped American businesses succeed? He hasn't! He's dismantled our economy, increasing regulations, infusing uncertainty and making it harder for business to grow and thrive.

This is yet another power grab from a desperate man who wants to ensure a second term, and is not about to allow a constitutional form of government stand in his way. Congess MUST NOT grant him further power to do ANYTHING that he does not already have the power to do in his capacity as a president. The office is NOT a dictatorship, no matter how much he wants to make it so. And it's about damn time for Congress to stand up and let him know that.

ADDENDUM:The Hill reported on Friday that the National Right to Work Foundation has filed the first court challenge against Obama's so-called 'recess' appointments. It's about time someone start throwing a roadblock or two in front of this runaway executive, wielding power that he doesn't have, particularly if the Congress won't! (just playing into that rhetoric of do-nothingness, guys)